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Posted: 6/13/2008 11:09:07 AM EDT
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Hi , I've been reading here and looking for a solution to my carbine short stroking. And I think I've found it - I suspect the spring , but don't know what's the correct spec. I've been running with a stock FCG w/ a Magpul CTR mil-spec tube and an "H" buffer , the spring is 10" long and this lower has been running great. I'm not sure if the spring buffer combo is correct , although this has been working great. This lower set-up works with both uppers I have - So I'm dismissing any gas tube/key issues. My other lower was short stroking with my seldom used upper. This lower began the day fine , but quickly reduced to firing one shot - sproing , BCG coming forward but not feeding a round. This lower is running an RRA 2 stage trigger , showing no signs of irregular contact. It has an Vltor Clubfoot stock on it. Several ammos and several mags. I tried all ammos and mags in both units and the one fails , the other cycled everything. I switched lowers/uppers and one lower consistently fails. The buffer is "regular" and the spring is 11" in that one. I've noticed the charging handle feels stiff to retract compared with the other lower in place. There is a chance I've swapped the springs/buffers with each other , but am unsure. Also - the 11" spring does not fit snuggly to either buffer - it's loose. I did not try shooting with only one round in mag yet - just learned it here today. What is the correct combo? Should I try the "H" buffer with the longer spring? Should I cut the 11" one down? If so , is it ok to use? If I just replace the buffer and spring and get another "H" buffer , what's a good source? I appreciate any help , should be an easy fix , just don't know what's correct. Hope I explained this clearly. Thanks. -JC |
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I've just made plans to go to the range early tomorrow morning. I'm going to try every possible combo including one round in the mag troubleshooting. I will post here as to my results - although probably later in the day. Any info about this subject would still be appreciated also. Thanks. -JC |
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Thankyou. That is helpful and I had not seen it before. So after re-checking both springs are in spec. It may be my imagination , but the longer one also feels like a stronger wire - stiffer. Could it be that I should be running the "H" buffer with the longer and stronger spring? I'm thinking the opposite , but could be wrong. Tomorrow will tell many things I figure. I'll be trying the different spring/buffer combos and also some hotter and heavier ammo than I tried before. It still could be ammo. Thanks again. -JC |
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AAR : After this morning at the range I have come to a couple of conclusions. First - Wolf ammo sucks. Cheap for a reason. I tried several ammos today. Wolf 55gr Mil.Clsc. , Some other wolf 55gr. , BH 55 gr , BH 77gr , Prvi M193 , and some LC M855 62 gr. The only ammo that had any issues was both Wolfs. The other day I was having FTFs with several ammos(all 55gr .223). The springs and buffers: I have a longer spring with heavier tension and a shorter , lighter one. I have an "H" buffer and a regular one. Previously I was running the "H" buffer and the shorter/weaker spring and had some issues with mostly the Wolf short stroking with either upper. Today after playing around with different combos I found that I had better results matching the heavier/longer spring with the "H" buffer and the shorter , weaker spring with the Regular buffer. Single round in the magazine tests showed that the Wolf was indeed underpowered in that sometimes the bolt would not lock open. Also , sometimes just dropping the action on a loaded mag from the bolt held open wouldn't take up a new round with the "H" buffer/weaker spring combo. The "H" buffer and stronger/longer spring combo worked 100% today as did the weaker/shorter spring with the regular buffer. There was noticably more recoil on the "H" set-up. I still don't trust the Wolf to perform well every time - seems very inconsistent and underpowered. I believe I had inadvertantly changed the springs/buffers when I added my Vltor stock. The uppers are similar: 14.5" 1:9 and a 16" HBAR 1:9 both with carbine length gas tubes and good clean working bcg and staked keys. Both carbines were well lubricated and clean today - perhaps contributing to good performance. I was sure to lube the buffer tube as well. I've posted this to help anyone else out that may be troubleshooting a SS issue. My synopsis is 1) Lame Ammo , 2)Wrong spring/buffer combo. Shoot safely and Have fun. -JC |
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